New Technology Helps Men and Women With a Common Pain

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Bob Hallinan

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Charles Waldron is like a lot of older adults. He’d suffered back pain for many years, and couldn’t find a solution. It was really affecting his ability to do simple things like clean the dishes, play with his grandchildren or go on cruises with his wife.

Then he came to the Mark A. Asher, MD, Comprehensive Spine Center at The University of Kansas Health System and met Dr. Dawood Sayed, an interventional pain physician, who diagnosed a condition called spinal stenosis. That’s when everyday wear and tear on the spine narrows the spinal canal, causing painful pressure on the nerves in the lower back. Dr. Sayed recommended Superion, a new device implanted between the vertebrae to hold them open and relieve nerve pressure. Charles became one of the first patients in the country to undergo the hour-long outpatient procedure, and went home the same day…completely free of his pain, and no longer needing opiates such as hydrocodone to handle his pain.

In the video, Dr. Dawood Sayed explains why opiates can help, but cautions that they can have side effects and can be addicting. He demonstrates how the so called “spine spacer” works and what it does. He also explains who is a candidate for this new procedure.

Also in the video, Charles Waldron describes what life was like before the procedure, and all the different treatments and medications he’d tried. He said the change was immediate and phenomenal, “like turning a switch,” and he feels like he got his life back.

Charles’ wife, Sandra Waldron, says her husband had always been a fun-loving and happy person, but the back pain had changed his personality and affected their lives. She says the difference now is amazing, allowing them to enjoy their “golden years” together.

The video also includes an office visit with Charles and Dr. Sayed, and Dr. Sayed demonstrating how the device works.